Priorities for housing policy in Wales - supply, renting and affordability

WEDNESDAY, 15TH FEBRUARY 2017

CENTRAL CARDIFF

THIS EVENT IS CPD CERTIFIED

Guest of Honour: Professor Judith Phillips, Deputy Principal, University of Stirling and Chair, Welsh Government Expert Group on Housing an Ageing Population

This seminar will bring together key policymakers with stakeholders including developers, housing associations, local authorities, mortgage lenders, surveyors and planning lawyers, charities and academics with an interest in this area to discuss key housing policy priorities for the new Welsh Government. 

Delegates will discuss the challenges for delivering key Welsh Government pledges including building an additional 20,000 affordable homes a year, ending ‘Right to Buy’ and introducing a new ‘Rent to Own’ model. They will also consider other steps that might be taken to improve supply including addressing concerns of so-called ‘landbanking’; extending the ‘Houses into Homes’ scheme for converting empty homes and the particular issue of supply of housing for older people. Professor Judith Phillips, Chair of the Welsh Government’s Expert Group on Housing an Ageing Population will be discussing the groups’ initial findings at the seminar. 

The conference also comes ahead of the implementation of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 which introduces new forms of tenancy and new requirements from landlords. Delegates will assess the challenges for putting the Act’s requirements into practice, for enforcing it, and wider challenges in the rental market. Access to finance will also be discussed including examining the impact of Help to Buy Wales so far and the likely effects of the UK-wide Help to Buy ISA scheme.

We are delighted to be able to include in this seminar keynote addresses from John Griffiths AM, Chair, Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee and Professor Judith Phillips, Deputy Principal, Stirling University and Chair, Welsh Government Expert Group on Housing an Ageing Population.

Further confirmed speakers include: Steve Clarke, Managing Director, Welsh Tenants; Simon Coop, Planning Director, Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners; Douglas Haig, Vice-Chairman and Director for Wales, Residential Landlords Association; Steve Hicks, Managing Director, Gentoo Genie;Sharon Hughes, Head of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships, Hafan Cymru; Bethan Jones, Operational Manager, Rent Smart Wales; John Puzey, Director, Shelter Cymru; Robin Staines, Head of Housing and Public Protection, Carmarthenshire County Council and Chair, Welsh Government’s Housing Supply Task Force 2013-14 and Peter Quinn, Business Development Director, Lovells, alongside a senior speaker confirmed from Taylor Wimpey.

John Griffiths AM, Chair, Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee and Siân Gwenllian AM, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Local Government, the Welsh Language, Equalities and Planning have both kindly agreed to chair sessions at this seminar.